E-Newsletter
The Professional Way to PP!
Potassium Permanganate, or "PP" for short, is a widely used substance that works to rid your pond of parasites and harmful bacteria. The Doc might prescribe PP from time to time. When he does, use these easy-to-follow directions for the best results.
Number of Treatments:
You will need to do 2 treatments spaced 4 days apart if your water temperature is above or at 70°. If water is less than 70° do 3 treatments spaced 4 days apart.
Directions for Treatment:
By-Pass Your Biofilter.
PP doesn’t distinguish between good nitrifying bacteria and bad harmful bacteria. It kills all.Add Aeration. PP robs dissolved oxygen from the water.
Know Your TRUE Gallonage. Overdosing with PP is deadly!
DOSAGE: 1 level teaspoon per 600 gallons.
Mix. In 2 cups of pond water swirl the recommended dose of PP until mixed thoroughly.
Distribute Evenly. Pour at all sides of the pond.
Keep the Water Pink for 8 Hours. If it turns brown or tea colored, immediately do another treatment at 1/2 the normal dosage. If the water becomes so dark that you are unable to see your fish at 2 feet below, discontinue treatment.
Deactivate After You’ve Reached 8 Hours of Treatment.
Deactivation:
If this is your FIRST treatment:
Deactivate by performing a 40 - 50% water change. Using a spray nozzle spray upward when refilling. Do not use dechlorinator. Declor will automatically deactivate your follow-up treatment.If this is your LAST treatment: Deactivate by using Declor or Hydrogen Peroxide. Use declor as per bottle instructions for filling the whole pond. Use 1 pint of hydrogen peroxide per 1000 gallons.
Watch for signs of Stress in Your Fish!
If you see a single fish gulping for air during the treatment, remove that fish and place in a holding tank until the treatment has been deactivated. If several fish are gulping at the surface or where the water is returning to the pond either add more aeration or deactivate the treatment immediately. If unsure, don’t chance it. Deactivate.
Emergency Deactivation
Use Declor or Hydrogen Peroxide in amounts listed above.
From The Clear Water Edition of What's
Up, Doc?, May, 1999
© Copyright 1999, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights Reserved.
Reproduction of this article prohibited without prior consent of
The Pond Doc.
© copyright 1997 - 2008 by PondDoc.com. All Rights Reserved.